Compiled By: Er. Saban Kumar K.C.

Lecture 1st
Chapter 1: Microprocessor Based Instrumentation System
Review:
Instrumentation System (Measurement System):
An instrumentation system is collection of instruments used to measure, monitor and control a
process (Electrical, Thermal, Hydraulic & non-electrical physical quantities). For e.g.

 Thermometer, barometer, anemometers are employed to indicate the environmental

conditions such as temperature, pressure & wind speed.
 Water, gas and electric meters are employed to keep track of the quantity of the
commodity used.
 Special patient monitoring equipment used in hospitals.
 Automatic control of an industrial process needs many measurements of temperature,
flow level etc. e.g. Automatic door control system open/closes door automatically on
the basis of presence (radiation) of users.

Microprocessor:
The microprocessor is a programmable integrated device that has computing and decision
making capability similar to that of the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer [1]. The
microprocessor can be viewed as;

 a programmable logic device that can be used to control processes or to turn on/off
devices.
 a data processing unit or a computing unit of a computer.
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Microprocessor based Instrumentation (MBI) System:

When the microprocessor is used in any instrumentation system, the system is known as
Microprocessor based instrumentation system. A good example of MBI system is the use of
microprocessors in biomedical instruments.

 The microprocessors are employed in contemporary biomedical instruments for

calibration (zeroing), averaging, formatting and printout the data.
 In digital thermometer, the analog value of temperature measured is converted to the
digital form by microcontroller (microprocessor is a part of it) and then displayed on
the LCD. If the value of temperature exceeds the highest value then the buzzer makes
a sound.
1.1.Basic features & benefits of microprocessor based system
 Three components: Microprocessor, I/O, and memory
 User friendly (Data readout)
 Parallel and multiprocessing
 Effective control of multiple types of equipment on time sharing basis
 Data storage, retrieval, and transmission
 Complete automation
 Added intelligence
 Reduced manpower
 Flexibility to modify
 Economic design
 Reduced circuit complexity
 Reduced operating costs (eg. Fuel savings)
 Reduced product wearing; furnish more uniform operation; tighter control
reinforcement.
 Improved responsiveness to changes in process: production rates, product
specifications, addition of new products.
 Incorporate strategies to minimize production upsets; resulting from plant equipment
failures by anticipated process conditions and improved plant safety.
 Improved timely information to plant operation and maintenance managers to enable
them to keep a plant running longer and more efficiently.
 Improved integration and interaction of plant operation through coordinated strategy.
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 Relational database management

 Statistical process control capabilities
 Information exchange with other plant system for process synchronization.
1.2.Open loop and Closed loop MBI System [2]

i. Open loop control/ microprocessor based system

Figure i: Block diagram of open loop control system (an example of pressure monitoring
system)
In this control system, microprocessor gives output of control variable in the form of some display
to human operator and then on the basis of displayed information, the human operator makes
changes in the necessary control inputs. For e.g. Pressure and Temperature monitoring system in
any plant. It is simple, low cost and used when feedback is not critical.
Here, Upper and lower limit of desired pressure is set , Pressure is converted to digital form to be
fed to microprocessor .The microprocessor compares a sample of pressure measurement with
present pressure limits. If sample is beyond limits, the microprocessor indicates in form of come
alarm or lamp. So, according to output signal, human operator makes necessary changes.
ii. Closed loop control system

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Figure ii: Block diagram of closed loop control system (an example of automatic temperature
control system)
In this control system, microprocessor monitors the process variables continuously and then
supplies the output signal to the electromechanical devices, which in turn controls the values
of process variables. For example: automatic temperature control system in an oven. It is
Accurate and Adaptive. Since it provides automation; No human operator required.

Here, in microprocessor, upper and lower limits of temperature are set. Every sample of
temperature measurement from transducer is compared by the processor. If temperature
exceeds the preset higher limit, the microprocessor transmits an output signal to a system which
in turn turns off the supply to some of the heater elements. If temperature is less than the preset
lower limit, the microprocessor transmits signal to system so that it turns on the supply to the
heater element of the oven [3].

References

[1] R. Gaonkar, Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the

8085, Mumbai: Penram International Publishing (India) Pvt.Ltd, 2010.

[2] H. Aryal, "Course Hands Out of Instrumentation II," Pulchowk Stationary, Pulchowk,
Lalitpur, 2015.

[3] KULLABS, "Note on Microprocessor Based Instrumentation System," 24 october 2017.

[Online]. Available: https://www.kullabs.com/classes/subjects/units/lessons/notes/note-
detail/4148.

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